http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/health/05real.html?ex=1218600000&en=820377127aa89372&ei=5070&emc=eta1

THE FACTS

Leg cramps are especially jarring at night, when they can literally mean a rude awakening. They can strike suddenly, and they tend to become more common with age.

A popular remedy is quinine, which produces the bitter flavor in tonic water. But there are a couple of problems with that approach.

Quinine may be helpful. A large analysis in the journal BMJ combined data from several studies and found that people who regularly suffered nocturnal leg cramps experienced significantly fewer symptoms after taking quinine than did those who had a placebo.

But even if quinine prevents leg cramps, most types of tonic contain less than 1 percent of the amount found in a typical therapeutic dose.

Another problem, according to medical reports, is that in some people quinine causes allergic reactions, fever and even death. Since 2007, the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that it be prescribed only for the prevention and treatment of malaria.

Better to rely instead on stretching exercises to flex the legs before bedtime, according to the Mayo Clinic, which also recommends drinking plenty of fluids and eating foods high in potassium.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Some studies suggest quinine can ease leg cramps, but the side effects may outweigh any benefits.

ANAHAD O’CONNOR scitimes@nytimes.com

My late husband suffered terribly from leg cramps. A holistic daughter suggested that he drink tonic water. It seems that the quinine in the tonic water is what relieves the cramps. My husband drank a quart a day - it worked beautifully.

I had muscle spasms in my legs several months ago. They wouldn’t happen every single night, but about 4 nights a week. If you’ve ever had them you know how painful they can be, especially when you are trying to relax and get to sleep. I mentioned it one day to my neighbor who had the same problem and was told to take 2 vitamins to help these leg cramps.

Calcium and Magnesium are both found in leafy green vegetables. Calcium is found in sardines, and orange juice, along with dairy products. Magnesium can be gotten from eating beans, seeds and nuts. If you don’t get enough of these vitamins, your legs can cramp.

Quinine, found in tonic water, relaxes muscles. So try this as well, or you can get a prescription from your doctor.

I take large towels and run them under ice cold water. I ring them out and fold them up so that they will lay across the backs of my legs. Laying on my stomach, I place them on the back parts of my legs for relief. -Thomas, 41